Swimwear survivors: Miss S.I. event, unlike Miss America, will still feature bathing suits

By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com | Posted November 12, 2018 at 04:51 PM | Updated November 12, 2018 at 06:09 PM

Swimsuit portion of the Miss America 2016 competition. (Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons )

STATEN ISLAND, NY. -- At the Miss America pageant, swimsuits are out. But at this week's Miss Staten Island competition, they're still very much in.

The local pageant, set for Sunday, Nov. 18 at Congregation B'nai Jeshuran, West Brighton, is the first step for contestants aspiring to the national Miss America competition.

Jamie Lynn Macchia at the 2015 Miss New York. (Staten Island Advance /Anthony DePrimo)

So why swimsuits for one pageant and not the other?

Miss Staten Island is a New York State pageant, and because some of the state's other local pageants were staged with a swimsuit portion before the Miss America decision became final, the same must be done at our borough's event.

Miss New York Deana Herrera, 1998. (Staten Island Advance/ Mike Falco)

The swimsuit portion of the title competition was eliminated as part of a rebranding -- labeled Miss America 2.0 -- that Gretchen Carlson described as a shift away from a beauty-focused pageant, and towards a competition centered on talent and accomplishments.

Kari Pedersen Cynar at the Miss America Pageant in 1967.

Carlson, a former Fox News personality, was named the new chair of the the Miss America Organization's Board of Trustees in January.

Her appointment and the ensuing changes to the pageant were fallout from a 2017 scandal: A published collection of former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell's emails, which insulted and degraded contestants, sparked the firestorm.

The first Miss America pageant in the post-swimsuit era was held in September. While some hailed the changes, overall reviews are mixed.

Contestants in the 2008 Miss Staten Island Pageant. (Staten Island Advance Photos/Chad Rachman)

On Staten Island, Jim Smith, executive director of the Miss Staten Island/Miss Richmond County Organization, notes:

"It's all about female empowerment that's more in line with the #MeToo movement and the former president of the Miss America Pageant saying disrespectful things about contestants including Mallory Hagan, Miss America 2013, who was involved in the controversy and who was crowned Miss New York at the St. George Theatre. But there's been such opposition from the local and state directors who wanted to leave swimsuits in. And the girls say it's part of tradition."

1977 Miss America contestants.

Smith added:

"When I first became involved in 1967 I went to Atlantic City. Competing was Kari Pedersen, Miss New York, and swimsuits were one piece. Swimsuits today are very provocative and today's two-piece suits are a little sexual in nature. Now girls work out and it's more of a science and they want to show off their abs. It may come back."

Charmaine Dodd, 2003. (Staten Island Advance/Joan Collins)

Smith went on to explain Miss America officials said they would make a decision after this year's Miss New York Pageant.

"When they lost swimsuit, they also lost TV ratings," Smith said. "And it's all about ratings."

Viewership of the pageant, already struggling in recent years, slipped to a new low according to Forbes, with 4.3 million total viewers.

Miss Flower Lane contestant Raina Hoey, 1996. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Linda Carbo, co-executive director of the Miss New York Pageant, a role she shares with Arthur Hunsinger, has her own take on the swimsuit issue: "This year might very well be the last time they incorporate swimsuits into the New York competition. It's a decision by some of the state directors. With some state pageants staged before the Miss America Pageant, others have to follow suit for the entire year. It's up to the state."

Camille Sims, Miss New York. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

Carbo continues:

"There was a lot of negativity on the swimsuit issue and Facebook was also loaded with negativity. I kept saying if they take away the swimsuit, they more or less showcase their brains. You don't define someone because of the way they look. They are intelligent, young women who have something to say."

Miss Empire Capital Region Katelynn Smith, 2014.(Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons)

Kristina Ferraro, pageant choreographer/Miss Staten Island 1994, commented:

"I've been helping the girls as producer of the pageant over the last few years. In the beginning they're kind of shy, but after a while they grow more confident participating in [the swimsuit] portion of the pageant. On the local level, I've watched them blossom and become a little more confident in the skin they're in."

Ashley Marie Davis, Miss Richmond County 2017. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

Ferraro stated with pride:

"A certain type of person decides to enter the pageant. It's about empowerment. They challenge themselves and they reach their goals in their minds and emotionally and become physically fit. The young ladies feel they can challenge themselves and reach their level of growth. We work with them to prepare them in all areas and swimsuit is part of it."

Miss New York City Mallory Hagan, 2013. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

Stephanie Accardo, Miss Richmond County 2012 and 2014 noted:

"You really have to be ready with a bikini ready body. After years of competing, I felt the physical aspect of the training became a mental aspect and the hour and a half workout became an everyday part of life."

Theodora Koullias at Miss Staten Island 2007. (Staten Island Advance/Chad Rachman)
Accardo added:

"I was stunned when they took it out and I'm still kind of confused why they keep it in local and state. My personal view is if they take it out they should add a fitness routine like they do for the teens to demonstrate their physical health. I think Miss America should be physically healthy and everyone's health is different and it makes girls mindful of a physical component. It doesn't need to be showing off their body, but rather their physical strength in that they take care of themselves."

Cassie Capparelli at Miss Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Joan Collins)

Instead of strutting swimsuits at the 2018 Miss America Pageant, contenders were asked to wear what makes them feel confident and expresses their personal style.

Bayley Simpson, Miss Buffalo 2016. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

And in a live session with the judges, contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia demonstrated their passion, intelligence, and an overall understanding of the job of Miss America. 

Katie Elizabeth Bates at Miss Staten Island, 2003. (Staten Island Advance/Joan Collins)

The swimsuit tradition was synonymous with the legendary pageant ever since its first bathing beauty contest back in 1921 on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Gabrielle Walter, Miss Western New York 2017. (Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

Back then the Miss America Pageant provided a means to further the summer tourist season during a time when Atlantic City and its Steel Pier was of the nation's hottest honeymoon havens.

Shannon Davies during the swimsuit competition in the 2003 Miss Staten Island Pageant. (Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons)

Fast forward nearly 100 years, and the Miss America Pageant and its offshoots have evolved into the largest scholarship provider for young women in the world, distributing more than $45 million in scholarship funding to its contestants annually.

https://www.silive.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/11/81f04581ad2363/bathing-suits-still-in-style-o.html